How to select a laptop to purchase

There are many different kinds of laptops all for different uses. If you are looking for a gaming laptop, Alienware would probably be your best bet: Alienware 18 ALW18-3002sLV 18-Inch Gaming Laptop
However, if you need a cheaper gaming laptop I would go with MSI: MSI Computer Corp. GP60 2OD-052US;9S7-16GD33-052 15.6-Inch Laptop

 If you need a laptop because you are going off to school and it needs to be cheap then Dell is the laptop maker for you: Dell Inspiron 15 i15RV-8526BLK 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)

 If you need a laptop for business then a Sony would be great, they have great and affordable business laptop options: Sony VAIO SVF14A16CXS 14-Inch Touchscreen Laptop (Steel Silver)

 Finally, if you just want a cheap laptop for the kids, I would recommend buying an iPad Air instead because it is cheaper and is best for kids: Apple iPad Air MD788LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, White with Silver) NEWEST VERSION

 That about covers all the uses for laptops and how to decide which one to get. If I missed any feel free to tell me.

picture of an Alienware 18, courtesy of Dell.com